Question

Which of the following is a structural change that happened in Indian economy due to British rule?

• A. Modernisation of thought
• B. Sanskritisation of lower castes
• C. Dependency on British industrialisation
• D. Westernisation of mass media

Hint:

In history and economics questions, carefully distinguish between economic, social, political, and cultural changes. "Structural economic change" points to deep-rooted shifts in production, trade patterns, and economic relationships, not just surface-level or cultural influences.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks for a structural change in the Indian economy as a result of British rule. A structural change refers to a fundamental and long-lasting shift in the basic framework of an economy, such as the relationship between different sectors (agriculture, industry) and its connection to the global economy.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Option (A) Modernisation of thought and (D) Westernisation of mass media are socio-cultural changes, not primarily economic structural changes.
Option (B) Sanskritisation of lower castes is a process of social mobility within the Indian social structure, not an economic change directly caused by British rule.
Option (C) Dependency on British industrialisation represents a fundamental shift. British policies systematically de-industrialised India by destroying its traditional handicraft and textile industries. India was transformed from an exporter of finished goods to a supplier of raw materials for British industries and a market for their finished products. This created a lasting dependency and altered the entire structure of the Indian economy.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The most accurate answer is the creation of a dependency on British industrialisation, which was a core structural transformation of the Indian economy during the colonial period.